Longtime Missouri Horseshoe Pitching Champion Vicki Lee Winston Dies at 86

Vicki Winston was a 10-time world champion and Hall of Famer in the sport of horseshoe pitching.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:18am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a horseshoe pitching competition, with the players' faces and details dissolving into colorful brushstrokes.The vibrant, energetic painting captures the spirit of Vicki Winston's decades-long dominance of the sport of horseshoe pitching.Concordia Today

Vicki Lee Winston, a renowned horseshoe pitcher who won 10 world championships and was inducted into the National Horseshoe Pitching Association Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 86 in Concordia, Missouri. Winston, who grew up in Portland, Oregon, met her husband Earl through their shared love of the sport and moved with him to rural LaMonte, Missouri, where she remained active in her local Methodist churches.

Why it matters

Vicki Winston's passing marks the end of an era for the sport of horseshoe pitching in Missouri, where she was a beloved and respected figure who helped grow the sport's popularity and mentored many younger players over the decades.

The details

Winston won 10 world championships in the Women's Division of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and was inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame in 1970. She also served in various leadership roles with the Missouri Horseshoe Pitchers Association and National Horseshoe Pitchers Association. In 1989, she was invited to the White House to pitch horseshoes with President George H.W. Bush on the lawn.

  • Vicki Lee Winston passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • Vicki Winston was born on June 10, 1939 in Portland, Oregon.

The players

Vicki Lee Winston

An 86-year-old renowned horseshoe pitcher who won 10 world championships and was inducted into the National Horseshoe Pitching Association Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Earl Winston

Vicki Winston's husband, whom she met through their shared love of horseshoe pitching. The couple moved from Portland, Oregon to rural LaMonte, Missouri after their marriage.

Cletus and Daisy Chapelle

Vicki Winston's late parents, who lived in Portland, Oregon. Her father taught her how to pitch horseshoes as a child.

Barry Chapelle

Vicki Winston's late brother.

George H.W. Bush

The former U.S. President who invited Vicki Winston to the White House in 1989 to pitch horseshoes with him on the lawn.

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What they’re saying

“Vicki was a beloved and respected figure who helped grow the sport of horseshoe pitching in Missouri over many decades.”

— William W. Harlow, Officiant at Vicki Winston's funeral

What’s next

Vicki Winston will be laid to rest in a private burial at Blackwater Chapel Cemetery in rural LaMonte, Missouri following her funeral service on April 9th.

The takeaway

Vicki Winston's passing marks the end of an era for the sport of horseshoe pitching in Missouri, where she was a pioneering champion and mentor who left an indelible mark on the community through her decades of dedication and achievement in the sport.